GameCube wise, Q1 holds slim pickings, although Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble, arriving in February, and Odama, on March 31st, are both ones to watch. Oh yes, and for those still interested, a new Mario Party (the seventh) comes out here on January 27th. Probably featuring a touching plot about moons and stars second only in complexity to War and Peace.

Game Boy owners will be pleased to hear that the wondrous (believe me, I've played it more than is healthy) Wario Ware Twisted is down for 24th February. Best not believe it till its safely inside your Game Boy, though- this one's been cancelled more times than we can remember. Final Fantasy IV Advance and Namco's Tales of Phantasia (March) provide two other highlights for Nintendo's 'other' handheld console.

Reggie speaks- again; debunks HD rumours

The absurdly-named Reginald Fils-Aime has been speaking to the press again about Revolution; this time to CNN. In it, he again re-iterated that Nintendo's policy of aggressive pricing, which began mainly with the GameCube, would be continued with the Revolution: "Value has been a key card for us this generation and we'll continue to play it," Fils-Aime said. "Do I expect us to be at a lower price point than our competition? Yes I do. Have we determined a price yet? No we haven't. "

The big man turned his attention to acknowledging that the Revolution would have to deliver a killer opening line-up to entice people towards the new console. "First, we've got make sure that the titles in the first six months are strong and can drive sales. We've also got to make sure the console is attractive visually. And we've got to deliver on the right consumer needs. With GameCube, at the time, portability was thought to be a big factor � that's why it has a handle. Obviously, that wasn't the case." In final confirmation of a move that will send US techie anoraks into a fit of high-resolution rage, Reggie indicated strongly that high-definition graphics will not form part of the Revolution package. "What we'll offer in terms of gameplay and approachability will more than make up for the lack of HD," he said. Don't be downhearted, especially us Europeans- almost nobody actually has HD, and by the time it becomes standard in Europe the next next generation will already be upon us. No high definition also means much better graphics within standard definition. Period.

In a separate interview, NoE's Jim Merrick has been speaking about the Revolution's launch, seeming to hint that a European launch before any other territory could be on the cards- saying that the traditional model of "Japan first, then the US, then Europe some time later" may not apply. Asked if this meant Europe could get the initial release, he would only say that "anything's possible". We live in hope. But not much hope.

> Epic Games' Mark Rein must have been stung the widespread backlash to his comments on the Revolution, whose games, he claimed, would turn out to be "crappy, cheap, I-wish-I-hadn't-bought-it gimmicks". He has recanted his comments, and has had a "a long, very good chat" with Jim Merrick, and he interesting commented that "Unreal Engine 3 and Nintendo Revolution would be very well suited to each other" . What that means at the moment is unclear. At least it means that the number of open dissenters to the Revolution controller once more stands at zero.
>Blizzard have officially confirmed what most of us had known for ages- that their long-in-development StarCraft Ghost title has been cancelled- but only for GameCube. This is due to GameCube's lack of online infrastructure. The PS2/XB versions will see eventual release. Eventually.
>The Da Vinci Code is coming to GameCube, courtesy of 2K Games and Take-Two Interactive. It's a direct film tie-in, and as such will probably end up being dire. But you never know. We've got an open mind. Expect it around May.
>A couple more details have surfaced about the forthcoming Mario Bros DS. The game's much-touted wireless multiplayer feature will be similar in style to Four Swords, in the respect that while players must co-operate, they will also be competing. We prefer it that way! In the game you'll now be able to acquire new powers by wearing Koopa shells. Depending on the colour, you'll get a different power to use.
>In the U.S, Metroid Prime Hunters has been confirmed for March 20th, complete with online play. Super Princess Peach hits the States on February 27th. February 6th sees the GameCube's excellent Chibi Robo arrive, and Electroplankton sees an (online-only) release on January 9th. If you're impatient, just import it now. There's virtually no text in the game, and the Japanese packaging is beautiful.
>Finally this issue, Nintendo master-producer Hideki Konno (Mario Kart DS) has spoken about a Revolution 'game' he's working on. A cooking sim, of all things. Says Konno- "We have this game with a big wok that you use to cook Chinese food, and it's really interesting to have the meat and vegetables frying in there, and use the controller to flip the food around without it spilling out of the pan." He did, however, stress that it was more of a 'creative in-house experiment' than retail product. Still, Ainsley Harriot has better watch out.

To celebrate the advent of proper online gaming via the DS with Mario Kart, this fortnight in Digest Extra we've got one 56k GameCube modem to give away. Yeah, we know it'll only work for Phantasy Star Online, but just think how much it'll be worth in 10 years- it'll fetch a pretty penny at Sotheby's, methinks. An immaculate, sleek, jet black GameCube modem can be yours- easier than you think.

How to win? Just let us know what you think would make a great advertising slogan for Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection. Drop us an email at [email protected] with 'Digest Extra' as the subject, and let us know what you think. Make it as bizarre as you like- in fact if you do you'll probably win. The best suggestions will be printed next issue. Best of luck to all!

400;
The number of Club Mario points you need to purchase a Revolution controller-style TV remote from Nintendo's Japanese site. Bargain, we say.
2;
The number of DS consoles, in millions, sold in Japan this year so far.
1.5;
The number of PSP consoles, in millions, sold in Japan this year so far.
5;
The number of DS games inhabiting the Japanese top 10 charts last week.
???;
The numbers of years (too many to count) since Mother 3 has been in development. Amazingly enough, it is now- apparently- almost finished, and will be released on GBA in Japan soon.

This fortnight's hottest releases: But don't forget, some of them may slip. Especially if any of them have 'Wario Ware' in the title. Not that any of them do. We've a big haul for you this week, including the utterly essential Mario Kart DS.

November 17th
Peter Jackson's King Kong (GC/DS) - early reports suggest that Michel Ancel and Peter Jackson's attempt at the ultimate movie license have, er, fallen flat on its face. A great pity. (preview)
Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour (DS) - it's Yu-Gi-Oh! With some nifty touch-screen controls. Fans will probably love it.

November 18th
Call of Duty 2 Big Red One (GC) - how many more WWII sims are to be foisted upon us? We'll take this one, though.
James Bond 007: From Russia With Love (GC) - what, a waste of a Bond license? From EA of all people? We're profoundly shocked.
Mario Smash Football (GC) - we're not at all convinced this has enough depth to last more than a few days at most. (preview)
Need for Speed Most Wanted (GC) - EA churn out another Need For Speed. Buy Mario Kart instead.
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness (GC) - Genius Sonority rehash Colosseum; but are we buying it? Nintendo should be doing a lot better than this, and Pokemon deserves better. (preview)
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (GC) - you already know if you're buying this. It's just more Tony Hawk's- no more, no less.
Tony Hawk's American Sk8land (DS) - the DS iteration comes with online play, but we don't know yet if it's any good. Wait for our review.

November 25th
Kirby Power Paintbrush (DS) - this innovative DS title, long-delayed, re-invents platforming with the DS stylus. Long-lasting and thoroughly deserving of your cash. (review)
Mario Kart DS (DS) - we're going Mario Kart crazy next week to co-incide with the game's release. Don't worry- it's going to be an absolute cracker. We know these things.
Sonic Rush (DS) - Sega produce what is being hailed in some circles as the best Sonic game yet. Can't say much better than that. Review on the way. (preview)

Revolution-Europe's new-look, sleekly designed forums are a-buzzin' at the moment. Just some of the hottest threads of recent times which you may be interested in contributing to:

- With Nintendo's announcement of the final Revolution name set to be revealed soon-ish (my bet is that they'll tell us just before the Xbox 360 hits America), R-E members are trying to come up with their own names for Nintendo's wonder-console. Add your name to the mix here
- The CG Graphics Appreciation thread celebrates GC games that 'wow' graphically. Check out what people are most impressed with by clicking the link here.
- Some of the web's most amusing Revolution parodies and spoofs are being linked to and discussed here.
- The Mario Kart DS thread is always worth a look- especially given the game's imminent European release. Check it out here.
- Reggie hinted that a DS SP is in the works. But what do you want in it? Join the discussion here.

That brings to an end this week's bumper edition of the newly-retitled Digest Extra. We hope you're enjoying our expanded coverage of the world of Nintendo; soon it'll be available as a bite-sized email, delivered direct to your inbox once a fortnight- just because we love you. Naturally, we'll keep you updated on all developments. Oh- and watch out for Revo-Europe's upcoming Mario Kart DS insanity- a week-long celebration of all that is good about Mario and karting- with the prospect of online karting becoming a reality as the next game in this most revered of racing series. What could be more exciting?

Happy gaming.

Mark Cullinane
[email protected]